The city of Jerusalem is a very old one, with some estimates stating that it goes back to around 3,000 BC or so, with its beginnings being a settlement around the Gihon Springs which are at that location. It has been ruled by many different peoples and religions over the millennia, including pagan Canaanites, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. If its walls could talk, they would tell of the many, many wars and battles they have seen over the many centuries of their existence. God’s plan for Jerusalem has not ended. In our Old Testament Scripture for this week, we read some of God’s final dealings with Jerusalem, His people, and the world.
Today’s Old Testament Scripture comes from the final chapter of the Book of the prophet Isaiah. As our passage begins, the Lord renews His promise that He will abundantly bless Jerusalem’s future. Those who love the city can rejoice in her future restoration. God will fulfill His promises to His people.
The prophet Isaiah gives two vivid descriptions of the future of this city. One is a picture of Jerusalem like a mother. God’s people will be able to come to her and be figuratively held in her arms, just as a mother holds her little children in her arms (vs. 11-13). Over the many centuries of its history, Jerusalem has often been under attack and under siege. Her citizens and residents have often had to live in fear of attack, going about their day with the thought in the back, and sometimes at the forefront of their mind, whether they and their homes will survive to the next day. However, now Isaiah foretold that the Lord promised they will be able to rest like a child sleeping in his mother’s arms or playing in her lap.
The second description that Isaiah gives here is that of a peaceful river stream (vs. 12). This symbolic picture shows how the Lord will abundantly bless the City of Jerusalem and her people. It also speaks of the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan. Though many of the people tried to deny it, it was always God’s plan to include the Gentiles for salvation and His blessings.
Both of these images show a tender portrait of God’s care, showing that He is both just and compassionate. God promises to extend comfort to His children. Just like a parent, He is tender, trustworthy, and diligent in His efforts to calm and comfort us. When we are weary or upset, He carries us affectionately in His arms. As our Father and Creator, He knows us intimately. When the troubles of this world weigh heavy on our hearts, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God protects and fights for us, His children, as a loving parent.
The second half of this message from Isaiah concerns God’s visible blessing and judgment on mankind, and His fiery return is also briefly described (vs. 14-16). In the future end times, God’s favor will be evident to believers, to the faithful, and our hearts can rejoice then. But His wrath against His enemies is also evident. There will be a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked. In God’s future plans, there will be a literal, future judgment of all unbelievers, along with the vindication of His people.
Isaiah closes with a vivid prophecy of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in judgment. We are not the only ones who look out at the world today, seeing the terrible evil and sin that abounds, and are angry. God is angry, too! His judgment on those who continue to perpetrate such sin against Him and His Word will be done in anger and fury. This brief description here is echoed in more detail in Revelation 19:11-21, where a greater description of Jesus’ return to judge the nations is given. This is not just symbolic. It is a literal event where Jesus will execute judgment, and fulfill His role as the righteous Judge.
In closing, we see that God is faithful to His plans. He is faithful to His plans to bless Jerusalem, to bless, redeem, and vindicate His people, and to His plans to judge the wicked who mock Him and His Word. We see here two pictures of God, one of a loving Parent who cares for His children, and one of the Righteous Judge who will come to judge and destroy evil and those who participate in it. Into which hands would you rather fall? Those of the loving Parent, or those of the Judge? The choice is yours, but you should not delay in making that choice, as we do not know what day He will return. It could be today. Choose the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and come into His loving hands.
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